third fridays
On the Third Friday of every month, Talking Birds hosts a programme of meetings, talks, walks, workshops and co-working devised by, and for, the creative community.
For 2024 there are some returning favourites like the Nestival of Ideas panel discussions and afternoon Co-working (where you can get on with your own work in the sociable coffee-shop-style surroundings at The Nest alongside other creatives), plus a few new things like July’s Photo Walk, our bookable Bid-Reading Slots (where we can read and give feedback on your funding application) and the Art Party.
Every other month, F13 network meetings are open to all locally-based independent artists and creative practitioners in all disciplines (whether freelance or from small organisations). These gatherings are a great chance to connect with other artists and creative practitioners locally, collectively explore issues affecting the sector, share projects you are working on and find out what’s happening (at what has been dubbed ‘the Plugfest‘) and/or take advantage of the Hive Mind part of the meeting to ask for ideas/advice/opinions to help you with your creative challenge (or offer your ideas to help others with theirs).
Everything in the programme is free (including our excellent tea & coffee), but we ask you to book in so that we know how many chairs to put out & how much coffee to brew. Morning programmes run 10.30am-12.30pm unless otherwise stated, and afternoon programmes 1.30-4.30pm (BYO lunch between 12.30 and 1.30pm).
If you are curious, but have never visited before, people often find that dropping in to an afternoon co-working session is a really good way to get the measure of The Nest (the space, the people and the vibe). You can ask us questions, chat to others or just park yourself quietly and get on with stuff – whatever works for you.
We look forward to welcoming you to The Nest really soon.
Coming up:
17th May 10.30am: Nestival of Ideas – Rest: Necessity, Resistance or Privilege? – panel discussion exploring the notion of Rest as Resistance, but also considering the complexity of choice (and who has, or is able to exercise, it) in relation to rest. The conversation will be chaired by Lisa Franklin and the panel includes: Sym Mendez, Samantha Holley-Horseman and Jaz Morrison. Followed by Creative Co-working with a focus on rest and wellbeing. In the afternoon Sym will be hosting a Restorative Resting Session that involves visualisation, body mapping and hums as we return to ourselves (collectively). For every body, this session will be gentle and self-led. (Extremely limited spaces, so booking is essential!)
21st June: F13 network meeting (doors open 10.30, meeting starts at 11am); followed by Creative Co-working, and optional creative observation of, and response to, The Nest’s wildflower mini-meadow to add to the Nest’s Nature Journal.
19th July 10.30am: Photo Walk led by Adele Mary Reed (limited numbers, booking essential) followed by Creative Co-working with bid-reading slots (limited numbers, booking essential) available.
16th August: The Nest will be closed for the holidays.
20th September 10.30am: Clothes Repair Skill Share. Bring an item of your clothing that is in need of mending, and mend it, with advice/help from those in the room; followed by Creative Co-working.
18th October: F13 network meeting (doors open 10.30, meeting starts at 11am); followed by Creative Co-working.
15th November 10.30am: Nestival of Ideas – Fair Pay: balancing creativity and wage labour – panel discussion. Followed by Creative Co-working.
20th December: F13 network meeting (doors open 10.30, meeting starts at 11am); followed by Creative Co-working and finishing off with the Festive Art Party (5-8pm).
More details to follow as they are confirmed!
Directions/how to get to The Nest here.
Download PDF version of the listings here.
Access
You can find full details for Getting to the Nest here.
We try hard to make The Nest as welcoming as possible to everyone who comes – there is step-free access to the building and accessible gender-neutral toilets. To give you an idea of what to expect, you can take a look at this video tour of The Nest, with BSL interpretation & captions.
talking birds 
Would love to attend 16 December afternoon. As freelance artist have to cobine with work do not have much free time. Work in mixed media and performance art
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You’d be very welcome! Book in via https://talkingbirds.co.uk/third-friday-creative-co-working/
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